Earlier this spring I purchased a DAT unit at a local garage sale for $5. Finally having some time to mess around with it a bit more, i've determined that its defective, at least the dat mechanism part which constantly eats tapes. Now i'm trying to decide about what I'm actually going to do with the unit. First off, even if I decide to just totally junk the thing, it is completely massive (at least 35lbs) and should have some very nice parts.
So I guess right now I'm just debating whether or not I should try and fix the thing, or junk most of the insides and use the very heavy duty copper plated case to house my first chip amp project. I don't really have a use for a dat machine *right now* but this is sony's FIRST ever dat machine, so I feel as somehow fixing it might be worth it. Anyone know where I could get schematics for the thing or better yet a repair manual?
If I were to put a chip amp in there, I think I'd try Chipamp.com's 3875 kit, unless anyone can recommend something that is significantly better, i've never made one of these before. But in the case that I do that, I'm wondering if the heatsink will be big enough, dimension wise the sink is: 3x2.5x1.5 inches, the case being 17x12x3 inches, a bit low if I want to fit a torroid transformer in this thing right? maybe the built in transformer will work? I havent tested its specs yet.
Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Attached are some pics of this beautiful unit:
So I guess right now I'm just debating whether or not I should try and fix the thing, or junk most of the insides and use the very heavy duty copper plated case to house my first chip amp project. I don't really have a use for a dat machine *right now* but this is sony's FIRST ever dat machine, so I feel as somehow fixing it might be worth it. Anyone know where I could get schematics for the thing or better yet a repair manual?
If I were to put a chip amp in there, I think I'd try Chipamp.com's 3875 kit, unless anyone can recommend something that is significantly better, i've never made one of these before. But in the case that I do that, I'm wondering if the heatsink will be big enough, dimension wise the sink is: 3x2.5x1.5 inches, the case being 17x12x3 inches, a bit low if I want to fit a torroid transformer in this thing right? maybe the built in transformer will work? I havent tested its specs yet.
Any recommendations or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, Attached are some pics of this beautiful unit:
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Really nice looking knob for volume control, actually two knobs in one for L/R channel control, hope i'll be able to save this if I do decide to junk it. Also, I'm figuring the headphone amp in this thing is pretty decent, maybe something to mess with if I get a chance.
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nice unit, definately worth the $5.
you might want to check the power supply on the unit. it might be pretty nice.
you might want to check the power supply on the unit. it might be pretty nice.
Just noticed this little sticker on the back saying this things 100 volts, thing turned on and seemed to work fine when plugged into standard 120v american current. I'm really still have a lot to learn about electronics, but ya don't think that would have anything to do with the dat mechanism eating tapes? Unit seemed fine otherwise. Currently I don't have access to a 100v ac power source to test, maybe sometime this semester. you're right though, I do need to test out that transformer, it probably weighs 8lbs, it makes the thing Considerably misbalanced when picking it up.
I know this unit when it came out in 1987 the thing was sort of an "international model" I can't remember where the thing was sold, but I'm thinking europe, so maybe my american power input isn't right.
Info from translated japanese page
I know this unit when it came out in 1987 the thing was sort of an "international model" I can't remember where the thing was sold, but I'm thinking europe, so maybe my american power input isn't right.
Info from translated japanese page
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LOL, yeah I am a sailor. Still I think it would be a shame to see this thing at the bottom of Lake Ontario
Right now I really don't have the money to fix it, nor do I have a use for it. In the future though, I would like to start djing with a friend of mine who already works with some local clubs. Hes recorded a few mixes with his laptop's built in sound card, but i'm sure this thing would do better.
Any ideas of where I would go to get it fixed? relatively cheaply?
Right now I really don't have the money to fix it, nor do I have a use for it. In the future though, I would like to start djing with a friend of mine who already works with some local clubs. Hes recorded a few mixes with his laptop's built in sound card, but i'm sure this thing would do better.
Any ideas of where I would go to get it fixed? relatively cheaply?
Sony's es series were nice machines. If you plan to do something with it in the future, don't tear it apart and wait till you have the money to fix it. There could be the problem of part availability, if it's already not too late. Most likely, the transport will have worn out parts and you could bring it to a Sony tech to have a look.
Despite the fact that the days of DAT are over, I'd tread the machine with respect. Just like a Gainclone.
/Hugo 🙂
Despite the fact that the days of DAT are over, I'd tread the machine with respect. Just like a Gainclone.
/Hugo 🙂
DAT decks are essentially VCRs- all the tape transport stuff was borrowed from VCR technology. If it is eating tapes, then there is a mechanical problem which is the same problem many VCRs have. I recall seeing a DIY VCR repair site on the web a couple years ago that explained in great detail the mechanical workings and how to fix a tape-eating transport. Unfortunately I no longer have a link for the site, but it will probably come up with a web search.
Try here: http://zeus.eed.usv.ro/misc/mirrors/cc/vcr.htm#VCRFAQ_054
I_F
Try here: http://zeus.eed.usv.ro/misc/mirrors/cc/vcr.htm#VCRFAQ_054
I_F
Here's a tip:
FF arm assembly very stiff movement causing slow return of pinchroller to cassette when ejecting. The pinchroller is also very glazed). Removed FF arm assembly. Cleane from old grease from pivot shaft. Replace pinchroller.
You could start with the arm and see if this helps. Take your time, this is very fine and delicate mechanics.
I might have other tips if needed.
/Hugo
FF arm assembly very stiff movement causing slow return of pinchroller to cassette when ejecting. The pinchroller is also very glazed). Removed FF arm assembly. Cleane from old grease from pivot shaft. Replace pinchroller.
You could start with the arm and see if this helps. Take your time, this is very fine and delicate mechanics.
I might have other tips if needed.
/Hugo
I suppose (?) that it just eats the tape if you hit PLAY.
Well, how about a simple test, hit the REC button and see how it sings as an external dac.
Well, how about a simple test, hit the REC button and see how it sings as an external dac.
carlosfm said:I suppose (?) that it just eats the tape if you hit PLAY.
Well, how about a simple test, hit the REC button and see how it sings as an external dac.
it did have a digital coax IN didnt it?
ill can easily double your money, ill give you $10 for it 🙂
Not up for sale yet (though probably would cost a heckofa lot more just for shipping), but i'll put in a better description this deck's "tape eating" habit.
Pressing play or record basically makes the deck do the same thing:
The mechanism pulls the tape to the reader, the head spins real fast, the tape doesnt move, the display jumps around a little bit but then stops and the thing gives me an error message. The spinning head will sand off the magnetic tape emulsion if you try to do this over again a couple times in the same spot.
Interestingly, when I try to fastforward/rewind the motors actually do pull the tape (quite quickly too) for a brief instant before I get a similar error message.
The source selector appears to be working, though I don't have a digital input to test that half, but I can get the levels indicator bar to work when I input a source and press record in that short interval before the error message comes up.
Any ideas what part is defective here? The head, tape spindles or the controler that works between them? Thanks very much for the input so far, its greatly appreciated
Pressing play or record basically makes the deck do the same thing:
The mechanism pulls the tape to the reader, the head spins real fast, the tape doesnt move, the display jumps around a little bit but then stops and the thing gives me an error message. The spinning head will sand off the magnetic tape emulsion if you try to do this over again a couple times in the same spot.
Interestingly, when I try to fastforward/rewind the motors actually do pull the tape (quite quickly too) for a brief instant before I get a similar error message.
The source selector appears to be working, though I don't have a digital input to test that half, but I can get the levels indicator bar to work when I input a source and press record in that short interval before the error message comes up.
Any ideas what part is defective here? The head, tape spindles or the controler that works between them? Thanks very much for the input so far, its greatly appreciated